CSA announces the Test squad for the tour of Sri Lanka

This is the first tour for South Africa post the retirements of Morkel and De Villiers.

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South African bowler Keshav Maharaj
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South African team (Photo by GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images)

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced the Test squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka. This is the first tour of the Proteas after the retirement of one of their best players AB de Villiers. Dale Steyn has returned to the side who had sustained an injury during the Test series against India in January. He is currently playing in the ongoing County Championship for Hampshire and seems to have proved his match fitness. However, Tabraiz Shamsi has also been included even as the leg-break bowler Shaun von Berg has earned his maiden call-up.

The team from the rainbow nation is somewhat going through a transition phase suddenly due to the retirements of Morne Morkel and De Villiers. In order to tackle the spin threat of the home side, they have picked Heinrich Klaasen as well who showed great temperament against India albeit in the ODIs. It will be interesting to see the way they will fare as Sri Lanka have their own problems in the longest format of the game.

Who will replace ABD?

According to the reports in Cricbuzz, the squad consists of three spinners led by Keshav Maharaj and Faf du Plessis will be the captain of the side. It remains to be seen how they will fare in their first series without De Villiers as he was an exceptional player of spin bowling. Temba Bavuma and Theunis de Bruyn are likeliest candidates as both have been named in the 15-man squad.

The responsibility of the top order is set to be rested on the shoulders of Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram as the main focus will be on the spin-bowling department. Keshav Maharaj is set to lead the bowling attack in Sri Lanka and he will be assisted by the chinaman Tabraiz Shamsi. The 31-year-old Berg has also earned a call-up as the selectors have made an attempt to strengthen the spin bowling resources.

The Test series between the two nations will commence on July 12 in Galle before which the visitors will play a two-day practice game at P Sara Oval in Colombo.

South Afric Test squad: Faf Du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Shaun von Berg

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